Reddam House Newsletter Vol. 3

Reddam House Waterfall newsletter page 1 Tel: 011 1000 353 e-mail [email protected]

Newsletter 3January 26, 2012

A fun-filled fantastic first Formal Friday assembly


"Oh, magic hour, when a child first knows she can read printed words!"~ A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1943 ~

astian Balthazar Bux’s passion was books.

If you have never spent whole afternoonswith burning ears and rumpled hair, forgetting theworld around you over a book, forgetting cold andhunger — . . .

If you have never wept bitter tearsbecause a wonderful story has come to an endand you must take your leave of the characterswith whom you have shared so many adventures,whom you have loved and admired, for whom youhave hoped and feared, and without whosecompany life seems empty and meaningless — You will never understand what Bastian did next.

. . . Staring at the title of the book, heturned hot and cold, cold and hot. Here was justwhat he dreamed of, what he had longed for eversince the passion for books had taken hold ofhim: A story that never ended! The book ofbooks! . . . (~The Neverending Story by Michael Ende ~)

Every child ought to experience the thrill of lovingreading, yet sadly it is not so. All too often thereis a wrinkling up of the nose, a deep sigh and ashrug of shoulders, and the clichéd sentence: ”Idon’t have enough time to read.”

This may be true sometimes, but the real TRUTHis that a child who struggles to read or lacksfluency, does not WANT to read because it is alabour and one that gives little pleasure. If a childstruggles with word recognition, or fluency or

B understanding due to poor vocabulary, then thischild is a cripple. This child will resent readingand this resentment will manifest in poorlearning skills in every area of the academicstrata and the end product is a child who is anunderachiever.

The ability to become fluent readers starts in thehome. Children who have been read to dailyfrom infancy, delight in stories, and respondfavourably to the reading programme in theearly grades. These children will continue toshow prowess in academics throughout highschool and indeed, even throughout tertiaryeducation.

In the IEB (Independent Examination Board)system, to which our school subscribes, greatemphasis is placed on higher order thinkingskills. The ability to infer, to make predictions, toanalyse, to compare and contrast and to makejudgement calls. These skills are expected to be exercised in all subjects and expressedcoherently in written and spoken language. Inthe high school, essay writing skills are crucial.But without sound reading, higher order thinkingand expression will fail.

The foundation for these higher order thinkingskills is established in the primary school.Without solid reading, such skills will be poorlygrasped and the price will be paid in high school.It can therefore be seen that reading is the

cement which binds academic progress, and whichin turn strengthens pleasure and personalsatisfaction.

Ironically, the very child who protests, “I don’t haveenough time to read,” is also the child whomanages to watch the next episode of his favouritetelevision programme, or who manages to sit idlyfor hours with earphones plugged into someear-numbing music on his iPhone!

Inspire your children to read. Give them access toplenty of reading material that they will enjoy anddiscuss it with them. Sample everything —traditional printed books and eBooks on theInternet, classic children's novels and fairy tales, aswell as more modern stories. Read about PoohBear to Harry Potter to Edward the glitteringvampire to Bilbo Baggins or to Jane Eyre — if it isprinted, read it!

Audio books are equally enjoyable, especially onlong journeys. So, delete the music from theiPhone, and insert an audio book! It is a great aidin improving listening skills and vocabulary.

And please switch off that television for a while,read as a family, and let us together work towardsthe goal of creating readers of our children who willbecome passionate about books.

~ Gianna Tommei ~ Department of English


BOOK APPEALWe want to start stocking up ourlibrary. If you have books in yourbookshelves which are no longer beingread and may benefit some other eagerreaders, please give these lovely booksto the receptionist.

PublicSpeaking &Debating

The skills involved in Public Speaking and Debating are practised in class inEnglish and in Drama. However, PublicSpeaking and Debating is offered as anextracurricular activity as well. We urge ourstudents to become involved as this wouldoffer an excellent opportunity to practicethe skills learned. Please consult theextracurricular programme in The NewsSpot.

“Speak ‘Friend’ and enter” ~ Gandalf, inThe Lord of the Rings

ACCOLADESReddam House Waterfall willacknowledge all outstandingachievements attained outside theSchool. Please submit any recognitionachieved to Mr Balios together withthe certificate received (which we willreturn to you).


UNIFORM

We were most impressed with our smartlydressed students on Formal Friday. They allwore their new attire with pride and we can saythat “dress maketh the man and the woman ...”

Reddam House Waterfall has decided thatBLACK shoes will be the norm. Those childrenwho have brown shoes, may continue to wearthem until they need to purchase the next pair.

HOUSE T-SHIRTS will be available from theUniform Shop from next week.

The SPORT UNIFORM may not be wornto school. Students must bring their sporttogs to school in a tog bag and change atschool. We expect our Reddam HouseWaterfall students to arrive at school intheir correct school multiform.

LOST PROPERTY: This may be claimed at RECEPTION. All

items of clothing which have namelabels indicated on them, will bereturned to the students.

All items of uniform must be labelledfor this purpose.

‘The dream begins with a teacherwho believes in you, who tugs andpushes and leads you to the nextplateau, sometimes poking youwith a sharp stick called "truth." ‘ ~Dan Rather


TI

ME

DROP-OFF:

The official drop-off times is 7h30. Children ( especially the Grades 1 and 2) who

are dropped off earlier may be left with theguards at the guard gate.

Children in the Club House may sit in the canteenlounge or outside their classrooms if they wish.

Please note that while the school endeavours toensure the safety of your children, we cannottake responsibility for the children prior to ourofficial opening times. The same goes for afterschool hours.

PARENT INFORMATIONEVENINGS:

THURSDAY 2 February: Grades 3 - 4VENUE: Club HouseTIME: 19:00

THURSDAY 9 February: Grades 5 - 9 VENUE: Club House TIME: 19:00

MATHS OLYMPIAD Round One: MONDAY 19 March Grades 8 and 9

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME: The academic programme commences for

Grades 5 to 9 on Monday 30 January. Allrelevant text books are to be brought to class.

VALENTINE’S DAY 14 February A day to celebrate friendship and love and

appreciation.

EXEAT FORMS

Students who need toleave school early musthave a signed EXEATFORM from theirparents.

These forms must besubmitted at Reception.

Non-parents collectingchildren must getclearance from theschool. Please e-mail

[email protected]

with the details of theperson collecting yourchild / children.

A letter will be givento you to show theguards.

“I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in whichthey can learn.” ~ Albert Einstein ~


Grade1 — Taking measure

Optional activities with an * are at anadditional cost. Pamphlets to be issued.

Reddam sport uniform to be worn for all activities. Students must submit their names to Mr Truscott /

Mr Dewar to confirm their attendance. Additional activities which students may desire

will be subject to number of studentsinterested.

Club House andTennis Courts

TENNISboys and girls14:45 to 16:00

FRIDAY

Club House andDriving Range

GOLF*boys and girls14:45 to 16:00

SOCIALTENNIS14:30 to 15:30

THURSDAY

Club House /External Pool

SWIMMINGboys and girls13:45 to 15:00

WEDNESDAY

Club House

Reddam school

KARATEboys and girls14:45 to 15:30

TOUCH RUGBYboys and girls15:00 to 16:00

TUESDAY

Reddam mainfield

CRICKET14:45 to 16:00

MONDAYSPORT

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESTERM ONE

Music room

TBC

MARIMBAWORKSHOP:

3-97:15 to 8:00

CHESS: 3-9 14:30 to 15:30

FRIDAY

Club Househall

Mathsclassroom

CHOIR: 4 -914:30 to 15:30

ENVIRO CLUB:7 -9

2nd break

THURSDAY

ELS Hall

Ms Fitzgerald’sclassroom

squash court

squash court

DANCE: 1-213:30 to 14:00

PUBLICSPEAKING:

5-913:30 to 14:30

DANCE: 3-514:30 to 15:15

DANCE 6-915:15 to 16:15

WEDNESDAY

Drama roomDRAMA: 1-714:45 to 15:45

TUESDAY

Drama room

Art room

DRAMA: 8-914:45 to 14:45

ART CLUB 4-7

14:45 to 14:45

MONDAYCULTURAL


Letters regarding instrument tuition will be sent out by Friday 3 February. These letters have a reply slip which must be returned to the class teacher by 10February.

Tuition offered in the following:

CLARINET: Gr 4 - Gr 9GUITAR: Gr 1 - Gr 9FLUTE: Gr 3 - Gr 9VOICE: Gr 1 - Gr 9DRUMS: Gr 2 - Gr 9PIANO: stage 4 - Gr 9

SAXOPHONE:Gr 4-Gr 9

CELLO: stage 4 - Gr 9TRUMPET: Gr 3 - Gr 9VIOLIN: stage 4 - Gr 9

INSTRUMENT TUITION:

Dressed to the nines!Kindly note that extracurricular activities are governed by the number ofparticipants. Where the group is too large or too small, arrangements maychange. Read The News Spot for updates regarding this.


MEALSGRADES 1 and 2

Due to us not yet having our own canteen, we arepleased to use Philippe Wagenfurher’s cateringservices which focuses on healthy meals.

The children will have the food delivered to theEarly Learning School (i.e. their classrooms).

Parents are asked to complete the form (end ofnewsletter) and send it with their child / childrento give to the class teacher.

Parents may order the following:1. MORNING SNACK:

This will comprise of a carbohydrate snacke.g. sandwich or scone etc. and a fruitCost: R8.00

2. HOT MEAL (LUNCH TIME): R 28.00Parents can choose items indicated on themenu options opposite. (Indicated inyellow)

Parents will be billed after Philippe has receivedthe necessary information via e-mail.

GRADES 3 to 9

Children may order in the canteen and pay cash.

mango, apple, orange, guava, tropical, water, milk, soya milkFRESH JUICE

mixed salad, fruit salad, yoghurt, fruits, cheese, sandwiches, muffinsTUCK SHOP

moussaka ofvegetables,mixed salad

bean stew, rice,vegetables

soya mince andmushroom saucepenne, mixedsalad

vegetablelasagna, mixedsalad

soya sausage,potato wedge,tomato sauce

VEGETARIAN

mini pizza withham andpineapple

shepherd’s pie,vegetables

pork stir-fry,vegetable,noodles

chicken a la king,whole grain rice

chicken in tomatosauce, potatognocchi

CHOICE 2:

spahettibolognaise

grilled haddock.mash

chicken burger,potato wedge

beef lasagna,mixed salad

quiche lorraine,mixed salad

CHOICE 1:LUNCH:

FRIDAYTHURSDAYWEDNESDAYTUESDAYMONDAYWEEKS 2 & 4

mango, apple, orange, guava, tropical, water, milk, soya milkFRESH JUICE

mixed salad, fruit salad, yoghurt, fruits, cheese, sandwiches, muffinsTUCK SHOP

vegetarianquiche, mixedsalad

vegetable raviolitomato saucewith vegetables

mushroom andsoya curd curry,noodles

vegetables andbean stew, rice

soya burger,potato wedge

VEGETARIAN

mini pizza withham andpineapple

ravioli tomatosauce withvegetables

roast chicken,cauliflower,morney potatoes

fisherman’s pie,vegetables

whole grainpasta, chicken intomato sauce

CHOICE 2:

fish burger,whole grain bun,potato wedges

chicken wrap withlettuce

beef stir-fry withnoodles

chicken stripswith butternutand rice

warm potato &tuna salad,guacamole andsour cream

CHOICE 1:LUNCH:

FRIDAYTHURSDAYWEDNESDAYTUESDAYMONDAYWEEKS 1 & 3


FOOD ORDER FORM

1. NAME OF STUDENT (Grades 1 and 2 only) : ___________________

2. CLASS: __________

3. CELL PHONE : _______________

4. e-mail address: _______________________________

5. Tick appropriate block:

snack R 8.00

hot meal: menu selection (indicate) R 28.001:2:3:

6. Date: ______________________

Want to learn how to make your own jewellery? Then this is the workshop for you.

Mrs Tommei will be running a BeginnersWorkshop for Grades 4 upwards. This workshopis open to all students, friends, mums and grans.

Only 10 people per workshop, so hurry and bookyour place.

Duration : FOUR sessions, one each Monday from Monday 6 February to Monday 27February

Times: 3 - 4 ( or slightly longer, depending on project)

Cost: R500.00 and R150 for starter kit (pliers,tiger tail, crimps etc.) You get to keep what youmake.

Contact Mrs Tommei in class or cell phone: 083 4689192. Bookings must be made byThursday 2 February.

Reddam House Newsletter Vol. 3

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